Relocating US to Singapore

[Emm]

Hi all,

My husband has been offered a relocation from the US to Singapore with his company. We are origionally from England and have also lived in Sweden so this is not a first move for us. I have read some of the previous threads but they mostly seem to be single people.

I was wondering if you have any advice for a family relocating to Sing? I have 2 daughters aged 5 and 8 years and have heard that there are International Schools in Sing but know nothing more than that about them, any info or opinions would be helpful.

At the moment this is very early stages in the negotiations but forewarned is forearmed as they say so any help would be appreciated. If any families have previously relocated and have any general knowledge or advise on what/what not to do and any surprises that are specific to Sing that I may not have thought of - all would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Emm.

[Yutenji]

Hi, This is a huge topic ... where to start?!?
Perhaps a good starting point is to say that you will find Singapore one of the easiest places to live, particularly in Asia. While there are certainly frustrations (well documented in other posts in this forum!), generally you can get anything you need, the city is clean & safe, the education systems (local & international) are very good, the food is fantastic, and Singapore's geographic location makes it a great starting point for tourism around the region.
It may help people to give you advice if you give a little more info about yourself ... for example, how long you plan to be here, what climate you're coming from (Singapore's is similar to Florida, hot & humid), what perks you're expecting to get in your negotiations (the important one is to get a housing allowance), etc.
There's a great choice of housing in Singapore, hence that comment. But, as always, it's location, location, location. Unless you have a car, I strongly suggest a location no more than 10mins walk to the MRT (subway). The rain in Singapore makes umbrellas entirely irrelevant, and even if it's not raining the humidity makes it look you still got caught in the rain
The people are just like people anywhere ... some great, some idiots, mostly somewhere in the middle.
The obvious downsides to Singapore are: Ridiculously expensive to own a car (but the public transport is very good), the island is small so you get a little stir-crazy (but see my comment above about travel/tourism), quality of service leaves lots to be desired (but then if you're lived in the UK / USA / Sweden {me too!}, you're used to that!!).
Really, there's plenty of good info in this forum. In particular, look for posts from NBB, jpatokal and Banafa.

Good luck.

[Guest]

Hi, This is a huge topic ... where to start?!?
Perhaps a good starting point is to say that you will find Singapore one of the easiest places to live, particularly in Asia. While there are certainly frustrations (well documented in other posts in this forum!), generally you can get anything you need, the city is clean & safe, the education systems (local & international) are very good, the food is fantastic, and Singapore's geographic location makes it a great starting point for tourism around the region.
It may help people to give you advice if you give a little more info about yourself ... for example, how long you plan to be here, what climate you're coming from (Singapore's is similar to Florida, hot & humid), what perks you're expecting to get in your negotiations (the important one is to get a housing allowance), etc.
There's a great choice of housing in Singapore, hence that comment. But, as always, it's location, location, location. Unless you have a car, I strongly suggest a location no more than 10mins walk to the MRT (subway). The rain in Singapore makes umbrellas entirely irrelevant, and even if it's not raining the humidity makes it look you still got caught in the rain
The people are just like people anywhere ... some great, some idiots, mostly somewhere in the middle.
The obvious downsides to Singapore are: Ridiculously expensive to own a car (but the public transport is very good), the island is small so you get a little stir-crazy (but see my comment above about travel/tourism), quality of service leaves lots to be desired (but then if you're lived in the UK / USA / Sweden {me too!}, you're used to that!!).
Really, there's plenty of good info in this forum. In particular, look for posts from NBB, jpatokal and Banafa.

Good luck.

Thanks for your reply,

We are still very early days in the negotiations at the moment but I know that once it is finalised then things will be moving pretty fast (we moved from Sweden to US in 7 months) and when you have a house and 2 kids to organise, it's a lot of work.

My main aim at the moment is to research the International Schools as my primary concern is their education. I have heard that the Tanglin Trust school is a good one for a British education. But if other people have opinions on that, it would be good.

We are in NC in the US at the moment, so the climate is hot and humid in the summer and not too cold in the winter, a lot better than Sweden anyway Where did you live in Sweden? We were in Nynashamn (about 1 hour south of Stockholm) for 3 1/2 years. The kids and my husband loved it but it drove me crazy, I was glad to leave.

Thanks again,

Emm.

[wwwoland]

Emm --

I've also just recently relocated to Singapore... from Moscow. American by nationality, but spent considerable time in Russia, Sweden, Germany. All I can say is the weather here is GREAT compared to those cold climates. Basically what's been said above is true. If you're at all interested in exploring Asia, this is a fantastic starting point. If I were you and your husband's job offer sounds ineteresting, don't pass this opportunity up. You might be kicking yourself later. If nothing else, the food here is worth the journey. Definitely better than pickled herring and aquavit!

Good luck!

[KATIEC]

We are also relocating and I was wondering how old children start school there and should you live by the school of choice since you don't have a car? Where is the best place to live then?

[beenhere10years]

Hi Katiec,

As far as the kids go, ask yourself -- if at all possiible-- where you will be going after Singapore. If it is the UK then Tanglin is the a good choice. If it is back to the US, then take a close look at Singapore American School. You want their transition into Singapore to be smooth, no doubt. But the next posting will be harder when they are a bit older. Looking forward, do you feel you'll spend more time living in countries with a British system or an American system?

Hope this helps.

[Intl Wife]

There is a dover court school and united world college in dover. Email savvy101104@yahoo.com.sg for more details.